Lindenwood-Belleville Enjoys NAIA Swimming Ranks

By Lileana Pearson, Swimming World College Intern

BELLEVILLE – Constantly changing and progressing as colleges and universities add new teams, NAIA swimming is on a roll as it gains recognition. Each year, swim programs are added to the NAIA, and this year was no exception as Lindenwood University-Belleville joined the ranks of NAIA and continues to impress everyone.

Lindenwood University-Belleville, more commonly known as LU-Belleville, is a small private, four-year liberal arts university in Belleville Illinois. This full-fledged, standalone university is a sister school of Lindenwood University and in 2014 the school added two new sports, one being swimming and diving.

Head coach Mandy Chun, a graduate of Lindenwood University, has lead the men’s and women’s team through its first season with huge amounts of success. After an incredible season with Maryville University, Chun came to LU-Belleville ready to produce a team that is exceptionally powerful in its first year. She has done just that as her team placed high at invitationals.

None of this would be possible without swimmers to power the success. Katelyn Hilmes was the first student-athlete to make a commitment and sign with LU-Bellville as she entrusted her college swimming career to Chun. A transfer from Kaskaskia College, Hilmes is a mid distance and freestyle sprinter from Carlyle, Ill.

Hilmes was soon followed by the first two men to sign to the program, Thomas Berthe and Chris McLeod. Berthe is a Belleville, Illinois native and is a freshman at LU-Belleville. He competes in sprint freestyle, butterfly, and individual medley. Berthe also has the honor of holding the title of team captain as a first year student. Named vice president, McLeod is a transfer from Bishop State Community College and originates from Mobile, Ala. McLeod is a strong competitor in breaststroke and freestyle events and is helping his team earn a positive reputation.

LU-Belleville currently has 29 student-athletes ranging from freshman to senior. With a total of 15 women and 16 men they are making an impressive start to their very first season. As they progress and add more swimmers to their program, Lindenwood University-Belleville will be a university and swim program that will be making a name for themselves and leaving their mark at NAIA Nationals in March this 2014-15 season.

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Sheila Lynch

9 years ago

Interest story, nice to see the growth of the NAIA.